Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-10-01
MIR. oberIy and His Letter.

relation to democratic State associations
has caused some feeling in Washington. At a
meeting of the Virginia association last night
Mr.. L. @ Washington said "Mr. Oberly is
member of commission which, it has
seemed 10 me for some time, has been TAX
ing upon itself TO supervise the entire gov
ernment. MIR. O5erly was invited to adj
dress the Illinois association, and, as rule,
when gentleman is invited to address a
meeting and is not able to do so, he writes
polite note to that effect. This is the first
IFS ance can recall when man has en-.
braced such an opportunity 10 write an in
auting and seandalous letter, hurting his in.
suits not only at the association addressed,
/ butiat all similar organizations. | regret
that Mr.. Obcrly is not here that he
might hear all that have to soy abont
him and l hope that it will be repeat
ed to him. He says that we have vi
plated the law and are subject to fine or in
prisonmont at the discretion of the court.
hope the court would have moro discretion
than Mr.. Oberly'
Col Washington then referred to Mr..
Oherly's comparison of the associations with
these that existed in the most disgracefnl
epoch il the history of the Government,
which he characterized as unjust. He then
reviewed the history of the Virginia assc-
citation, which was organized during the
administration of Mr.. Hayes, 'in the dark
days of radcalsm," and had never depend
ed upon Office holders and executive favor
for lis existence. Referring again to
the letter he said: mo man is worthy to
hold even clerkship under the Govern
ment who would advance each theories.
am at loss to account for its prOduc-
tion, except as an act of idiocy or insan-
ity, or on the theory that the man who
wrote it believed that he was vocing the
ideas of some superior in Office. challenge
Mr. Obery to make a test-case under his
Interpretation Of the law. We have not vi
olated the law. Virginans respect all laws.
We might like to see the civil service law
amended so as TO give democrats their just
share of the offices under this administra-
ton; but while it remains as it is, we will
respect it, and it is an idiolic SANDER to say
that we have violated it."
He charged Oberly with being an Office
seeker who had come to Washington 10
get an office, and when he got one kept on
until be got better one, and was now try.
ing to get still better one.
Speaking of the effect of the letter he SAID:
| mo, NO VIII uOb VIII tuhC
no more notice Of Mr.. Oberly and his letter
than Of dog barking behind the fence. l
may be too outspoken. l would not talk
this way about high official that had any
respect for, but Mr.. Oberly has put himself
beyond the pale CT such consideration"
r. G. Giasscock after reviewing the law
and explaining his Interpretation of it, said
that Mr.. Oberly's idea in writing such let
ter must have been to destroy the organiza-
ton of the democratic party. "a Presden.
tial election is approaching" said Mr..
Glasscock, land it is good time to begin to
get on the fence. MIR. Oberly might claim
reward from tho republican party for bis
service, in helping to defeat the democratic
party | was at the meeting OF the Illinois
Association last night end / doubt whether
they will ever meet again. They were bad
ly scared last night But you can't frighten
Virginians by any such tall, as that. Der
association was born under republican sd
ministreiion, md will not be frightened by
any such letter. am an oflceholder, End
if nm doing anything for which | ought TO
DE sen! 10 jail ,open The doors and will walk
in"
w. c. Maupin, Treasury clerk, said 81
nm An oiliceholder, but before | would ac-
I cept tho doctrines OF that letter would 90
TO work upon the streets 10 support my fsmi-
iy"
W. w. Moilett said Mr. Oherly shot of
his cannon in the cir without knowing any
thing Hbont us or our organization. He
started ont with the intention OF throwing
n bamb into the democratic camp" He
characterized the letter ~ nonsense, and
said that in Virginia they were not fighting
for or against high tariff, but for their
homes and for the best men for the Offices
against MahoDesm, but if this is decided to
he the construction of the law I'VE will stick
to our association and give up our federal
Offices"
Chairman Bscoo said that Nj Oberly had
seized The opportunity to furnish material
to the republican press and was no longer
worthy to be called q democrat. 1--WE came
here long before Mr. Oberiy," said he, land
I hope that the Virginia democratic associn
lion will be here long after the flowers are
blooming on his political grave"
A committee was appointed who reported
The following:
Resolved, That we condemn the recent letter of
John II. 0bcrly making injurious reflections
upon this and other democratic State associations;
that wo repe rs false tho statement that this as
ISOLATION or any of it's members has ever violated
| the law of tho land, and the further assertions
that they have revived the worst practices of the
worst republicans we denounce as SANDER, not
only upon our association and other Kindred IS
sociations, but also upon the national democratic
administration. This association was organized
in the worst days of radcalism, and will continue
TO perform its mission regardless of Mr. 0berly,
so long as the Radical party menaces tho liberties
and prosperity Of the country.
The resolutions were adopted amid loud
applause.
GONG WEsT.-A letter from Middeburg
to the Leesburg Mirror says: